LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — No, Bob Baffert does not consider himself The Face of Horse Racing.

Despite the training of two Triple Crown winners as well as six horses that have won the Kentucky Derby.

“I think I’m clickbait,” Baffert said, with his trademark smile.

First Look: Bob Baffert returns to Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby week

About 25 media members had Baffert pinned against a wall outside Barn 33 at Churchill Downs Friday morning. “I think that’s what I’ve become.”

Kentucky Derby 151 will become a test of Baffert’s clickbait status. For the first time since 2021, Baffert will saddle two horses for the race that matters more than any other race on the planet.

He’ll try to separate himself — again — from Hall of Famer Ben Jones — as the first guy to train seven Derby winners.

Baffert thought he found seventh heaven on the first Saturday of May 2021. He made it to the winners’ circle with Medina Spirit, an unlikely winner at Churchill Downs that day.

Baffert joyously held the Derby trophy overhead, just as he had with Silver Charm, Real Quiet, War Emblem, American Pharoah, Justify and Authentic.

Then, days later, it was all taken away. The Derby victory. His ability to race at Churchill Downs. His reputation. He became click-bait for the unpopular side of racing associated with medication violations and horse breakdowns.

Medina Spirit tested positive for a trace amount of betamethasone, a corticosteroid banned on race days in Kentucky.

After initially denying the colt was treated with that drug, Baffert pivoted two days later and added that an ointment that included betamethasone was used to treat a skin rash on the colt.

Send in the attorneys. Cue the public relations battle.

For months the hissing contest raged about Medina Spirit’s Derby disqualification. Nearly two years later a court ruled against Baffert. Medina Spirit was indeed disqualified with Mandaloun and trainer Brad Cox declared the official winner of the race.

Mark it down as only the second time in Derby history that a horse was disqualified for a drug infraction.

And just in case Baffert did not process the message that Churchill Downs was not thrilled by the way the trainer handled the situation and the suspension, the track rewarded him with a bonus year on the sidelines.

No Derby for you — in 2022, 2023 or 2024.

Now the suspension is over. With a pair of contenders (Rodriguez and Citizen Bull), Baffert is back, at Barn 33, the same spot where he launched American Pharoah and Justify on the road to their historic Triple Crowns victories.

Also back are his mammoth collection of plaques, which, like Baffert, have been missing from Barn 33 the last three years. 


Nobody will say where they were stored. Nobody will say if these are original plaques or replacements.

Do you know where the plaques were, Bob?

“I hope they’re new,” he said. “They don’t look faded.”

Can you explain why you and Churchill kissed and made up?

“It’s a big secret,” Baffert said, generating a laugh.

Baffert said that he never fell out of love with the Kentucky Derby. Last year he hosted a Kentucky Derby watch party at his home in suburban Los Angeles. One year his clients flew him to Tucson, Arizona, for a Derby party, even though a replacement trainer, Tim Yakteen, brought qualified horses from Baffert’s barn to the race.

One year he watched at Rillito Park, a small quarter horse and thoroughbred track in Arizona.

“I placed some bets,” Baffert said. “Everybody was there. The Derby is still a very important part of our program. I enjoy watching it. I like to see it.

“I actually get nervous when they go in the gate because I know what those trainers are feeling. And you’re wondering, ‘Who’s going to get it?’ … you’ve been there so you know what they’re feeling.”

The natural question, of course, is what is Baffert feeling now? Relief that the controversy is over? Motivation to prove that the Kentucky Derby still goes through his barn?

Hard feelings because Churchill added another year to the original 2-year ban?

“No,” Baffert said. “I don’t. I don’t …

“I understand. We understood. You know, we never denied that there was a positive (test). It was just that we were hoping it could be dropped to (a lower level) offense when we found out what it was.

“But I don’t feel that way (angry). Because in racing, as a trainer, I’d be mad every week we got beat or something. You cannot. I just always never look back and turn the page. I accepted it and just moved on.”

Did the situation change Bob Baffert?

It didn’t appear to, at least not during his initial 16-minute media scrum. The questions have just begun. The crowds will get larger on the backstretch of Churchill Downs every morning.

Even on a charcoal morning with sprinkles of rain sticking to his dark blue baseball cap, Baffert was still wearing the sunglasses. Still identifiable by the striking white hair. Still dispensing the soundbite one-liners.

Baffert turned 72 in January. If anything, he appeared younger than he did in 2021, several pounds lighter.

“My sport coat fits me now,” Baffert said. “I always try to lose weight. If you ever see me come to the Derby when I look heavy, I have no shot.”

Did the experience change Bob Baffert?

“No, not at all,” he said. “I mean, it happens in racing. You have to accept when you get beat and when things don’t go right.

“And it was one of those things where I can’t change it. It’s like when you don’t have control over it, I don’t worry about it.”

On May 3, Bob Baffert can worry about getting his seventh Kentucky Derby — for the second time.

Kentucky Derby Coverage:

CRAWFORD | Just In: Derby favorite Journalism steps into spotlight with Churchill Downs debut

Derby Daily | Insight on horses, trainers and connections for Kentucky Derby 151

BOZICH | Who'll win Kentucky Derby 151? Every trainer, jockey has the winner

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